"Early Christmas" With Taay Taay Dec. 2007

Taay Taay flew back home to Savoonga on December 4th, so we celebrated Christmas the night of Dec. 3rd. We had a fire, beautiful tree, fun lights, wonderful presents, a dog decorated as a raindeer, egg nog, Christmas music, warm fuzzy feelings in our hearts, and even our roomates joined in on the fun. Twas pretty darn close to a Christmas Special. "Smile". One to remember!

Responsibility 101

After two and a half weeks in the big city Taay Taay's money well went dry. It was time to go to work to earn a few bucks, so he spent a few hours cleaning up the back yard. Immediately following the "Great Yard Cleanup" we jumped right into learning to fix the flats on his car (long story short-giant car eating pot hole almost swallowed us at the mall last week). Many lessons learned today.

Taay Got His Permit-The kid's legal, look out!

11/30/07 After much studying, stressing, and test taking, Taay passed his drivers permit test!!! I have to tell you I have never seen a happier kid!! I'm so proud of him -- now comes the fun part actually learning to drive--yikes! He'll do great (not sure about me though) "smile"


Calling family and friends to tell them the good news..couldn't wait.

Taay Taay's Christmas with Kisten and Copper 07

Taay Taay decided to use his dividend (this year $1600) to fly in to Anchorage and spend the holiday's with me. He arrived just before Thanksgiving and stayed just over two weeks..It was great juju for the both of us. The day after Thanksgiving we went to Home Depot and got a Christmas Tree (Taay picked it out) and we decorated the house (lights inside and outside)..even Copper joined in on the fun. Taay Taay was my student when Copper was born and he helped me take care of him after school for that year. Over the years Copper and Taay have grown up together, Taay considers him his brother..I love seeing them together. Having Taay Taay around has really helped me get through Tom's death and has been a blessing for the holiday's. I really love this kid.

Taay Taay's AVTEC Tour, 11/29/07

Taay Taay has been a little lost since graduating but thinking a bit about going to AVTEC, a trade school in Seward, Alaska (2 hours South of Anchorage). So we made it our goal that during his visit we would drive down and check it out. Taay has been thinking carpentry and construction (it's what his father did) so we were given the tour of that program. We were also able to meet up with a friend of John's (Taay's) from Gambell who is in the construction program right now (Troy). Troy and Taay were able to hang out for about 5 hours on campus. After the visit Taay Taay said to me "It's not like I want to go to AVTEC anymore, it's like I JUST HAVE TO GO". I was sooo happy to hear him say that, a total answer to my prayers for him (just prayed for him to find a positive path)...On the way home we were able to have a awesome heart to heart convorsation about life in general...all around, It was a GREAT trip!! Taay has to start getting his paper work in in Feburary and will start the construction program in August. It is a 9 month program and after his graduation they will assist him in getting a job.